View Full Version : Forum Performance / Availability
edwardb
12-02-2019, 11:55 AM
As a frequent visitor and contributor, it’s too bad what seems to be happening with this forum. I mean no disrespect and I’m sure those who are responsible for such things are working hard on it. But “Error 524” and “503 Service Unavailable error” and “database error,” etc. pretty much at any time seems to be the norm. Typically comes back in a while. But have noticed several times it was some hours and seems to be nearly every day. I've reported a couple times. But now seems so frequent I'm not sure it's helpful. These issues are maybe especially unwanted given what’s happened on the “other” forum. While I’m sort of getting used to the changes, it’s still a little awkward and I suspect will affect the traffic there. Likely more coming here instead.
There were some issues a while back that required some work by the ISP, perhaps even upgraded servers as I recall, and the forum community was called on to help financially support required changes. Let me be maybe the first to suggest if that’s necessary again, l’d support it. Again, I’m making this post as respectfully as possible. Hope it comes across that way.
progmgr1
12-02-2019, 02:26 PM
I'm surprised by this post. I haven't had any problems with this forum over the last few weeks. I don't know how the forum is set up. Is it possible that there are separate servers for different parts of the country? I don't have an explanation for why there would be issues in Michigan and none in SoCal? Keith
FF33rod
12-02-2019, 02:29 PM
My experience is along the same lines as Paul's. Being unable to read or post for hours is rare (another thread covers those), but in general there are a lot more sporadic issues popping up than before (say 3 months ago).
Steve
I'm seeing the same thing as Paul. It seems worst in the early morning hours, but on and off throughout the day as well. I've been able to ping the server during the outages if that helps.
edwardb
12-02-2019, 02:47 PM
I'm surprised by this post. I haven't had any problems with this forum over the last few weeks. I don't know how the forum is set up. Is it possible that there are separate servers for different parts of the country? I don't have an explanation for why there would be issues in Michigan and none in SoCal? Keith
Could be location based. I don't know enough about that sort of thing to say any more than that. Received this message a few minutes ago, then back on just now. Pretty typical of what I've been seeing. But also sometimes the other messages I mentioned.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ab234/edwardb123/3/e112b7ba-ff36-459d-942f-58690ebb26d5-original.bmp?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://beta.photobucket.com/u/edwardb123/p/e112b7ba-ff36-459d-942f-58690ebb26d5)
I get the same messages as Paul. I am in suburban Chicago.
lewma
12-02-2019, 03:07 PM
could be a problem on the server, or could be DNS / name resolution problems. 503 typically means the server is up, but the software running on the server is not.
Since early November, when I posted on the other site because I was getting the error page that Paul posted, I haven't had any issues with the site, and I tend to get online multiple times every day. I also have no idea why it's still happening for some, and not for others.
Lol, just as soon as I was trying to post this, I got an error page and thought that my post had not gone through. I guess I spoke too soon!
Francky
12-02-2019, 03:19 PM
Lot of problems accessing here in Maryland too.
David Hodgkins
12-02-2019, 03:45 PM
Hello all,
I'm very sorry about the issues we are having. Apparently, it has to do with the large amount of guest traffic we are getting. We are in the process of "upgrading" some services - which I can't really get into talking about - and will make changes need as needed. Sorry to be so vague but I'd like to keep some info close to the vest. The site appears to be very busy, and I'll leave it at that for now.
I know how frustrating this is for you guys, and the timing is especially bad since we're picking up more traffic.
More to come.
:)
edwardb
12-02-2019, 04:19 PM
Hello all,
I'm very sorry about the issues we are having. Apparently, it has to do with the large amount of guest traffic we are getting. We are in the process of "upgrading" some services - which I can't really get into talking about - and will make changes need as needed. Sorry to be so vague but I'd like to keep some info close to the vest. The site appears to be very busy, and I'll leave it at that for now.
I know how frustrating this is for you guys, and the timing is especially bad since we're picking up more traffic.
More to come.
:)
Thanks. Appreciate the response and feedback. I was positive you were working on it, but frustration got the best of me. :p My offer still stands and I'm positive others would join.
lewma
12-02-2019, 04:30 PM
Hello all,
I'm very sorry about the issues we are having. Apparently, it has to do with the large amount of guest traffic we are getting. We are in the process of "upgrading" some services - which I can't really get into talking about - and will make changes need as needed. Sorry to be so vague but I'd like to keep some info close to the vest. The site appears to be very busy, and I'll leave it at that for now.
I know how frustrating this is for you guys, and the timing is especially bad since we're picking up more traffic.
More to come.
:)
Dave, not saying you can't handle it however if you need extra hands on this, shoot me a PM. I deal with cloud servers / services all the time so I'd be happy to help.
mark
Aircontroller
12-02-2019, 09:24 PM
118416
mburger
12-02-2019, 09:59 PM
Ditto what iewma said.
If this is a DoS attack, it’s traceable...
ProJoe
12-02-2019, 10:57 PM
Ditto what iewma said.
If this is a DoS attack, it’s traceable...
it's probably not a DoS attack, it's probably just traffic. also since they use Cloudfare they should be relatively well insulated from DoS attacks
A sudden increase in traffic can look malicious, but it's generally not.
also it's really, really hard to trace a good DoS attack. if I'm an attacker and I own a "botnet" of lets say 5,000 compromised systems; each one of those systems will report a different IP and have a different ISP. unless the attack originates from a small group of computers they are actually nearly impossible to trace.
stevo7896
12-02-2019, 11:01 PM
I was just reading this post and moved on to the next post and just got this as well.118434
Get the same thing several times a day. I'm in Texas, so I don't think it has to do with location.
progmgr1
12-03-2019, 03:33 PM
I don't know...still no problems out here in SoCal, and I've been logging in 3-4 times a day just to check on performance. Keith
Francky
12-04-2019, 01:23 PM
Multiple time a day for me:
118495
Mostly 503 errors for me, a couple this morning. I have also seen the 524 error.
Olli
Aircontroller
12-04-2019, 04:33 PM
More timeouts...118505
Aircontroller
12-05-2019, 05:57 AM
118527
FF33rod
12-15-2019, 02:03 PM
Lots of "503 Service Unavailable" messages for me this morning, since 8am PST..... Been pretty good for the last couple of weeks until today
Steve
The site has been pretty much unusable all day today since early this morning. I'm getting 503 - Service Unavailable errors. If I do get on, the next thing I click fails. It's taken over an hour and several failed attempts just to make this post.
Seems this forum is becoming more unreliable or maybe the IT guys and gals out there may call it unstable or some other such description.
I'm headed back to the Harley forum -- it's always up and functioning 100%.
GoDadGo
12-15-2019, 10:24 PM
Ditto From The Dell, Slidell That Is!
We Are In South East Louisiana Near New Orleans.
Nothiing but 503 errors all day. I don't know how I got on to post this. I hope this issue can be solved. The other site is easy to get on, but a PITA to navigate.
Francky
12-16-2019, 11:11 AM
Same here.... good luck IT guys, sending you all the positive vibes!
mburger
12-16-2019, 12:03 PM
Ditto from SW Florida. 503 error ALL day yesterday and this morning. Somehow got in just now.
You guys do a great job behind the scenes and it is appreciated more than that is communicated.
Having said that, this forum is too important for customers and potential customers to have this issue going on since October.
Time for a change in hosting providers that can add resources (assuming that is an issue) or move us off of shared resources.
EDIT: I was trying to edit this right after I posted but I couldn’t get back in.
Paul communicates better than I do, so ditto to everything he said in the opening post.
kobra01
12-16-2019, 01:19 PM
I'm in SoCal. Same error as everybody else. 503 error.
Same here, 503. Couldn't get on the forum for hours.
Olli
progmgr1
12-16-2019, 04:59 PM
Same here in my part of SoCal - 503 errors all day yesterday. Either couldn't get on the site at all or got the 503 error as soon as I hit the "Latest Posts" button. Felt like an addict forced to go cold turkey - didn't realize how much I depend on the forum always being there, until it wasn't... Seems to be working OK today though. Thanks SYSADS! Keith
Service Unavailable
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later.
Additionally, a 503 Service Unavailable error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
David Hodgkins
12-16-2019, 06:28 PM
I'm hoping that a change we are putting in today is going to solve the issue.
I'm sorry this has dragged on so long. I wasn't sure what the root cause was and until we did some longer-term snooping we could have gone down several paths and spent a lot of money shooting at shadows.
I just tried a changeover and it took the site down so I will attempt again later tonight.
:)
mburger
12-16-2019, 07:05 PM
Thank you David!
GTBradley
12-16-2019, 07:14 PM
Seems good now. I was unable to access from Friday night through this morning with multiple attempts per day.
David Hodgkins
12-16-2019, 07:37 PM
Just FYI we will be trying this tonight. I tried moving some stuff around about an hour ago and it took the site down so I'm going to be "guided" through it again this evening.
Wish me luck!
:)
Good luck David.
Just to give you another data point -- from my perspective, the issue with access seems to be more than just high traffic as I believe was once suspected. Ive tried to access the site several times from just after midnight to 0400 MST in the morning with no joy. Don't expect that would be a high traffic period.
Maybe check to see if the night janitor is unplugging the server from the wall to plug in his vacuum:rolleyes:
progmgr1
12-16-2019, 09:49 PM
David,
I was able to connect to the site this evening with no problems, but the format radically changed? Is there any way to return to the way the forum looked previously? (I know this is a minor issue compared to the dragons you're trying to slay, but the new format is difficult for me to navigate.)
Thanks for all you do to keep the forum alive and well!
Keith
David Hodgkins
12-16-2019, 09:52 PM
David,
I was able to connect to the site this evening with no problems, but the format radically changed? Is there any way to return to the way the forum looked previously? (I know this is a minor issue compared to the dragons you're trying to slay, but the new format is difficult for me to navigate.)
Thanks for all you do to keep the forum alive and well!
Keith
Um, no changes at all, cosmetically speaking...
:)
David Hodgkins
12-16-2019, 09:53 PM
The lights are still on...
Let's see what happens. Hopefully nothing!
:)
David,
I was able to connect to the site this evening with no problems, but the format radically changed? Is there any way to return to the way the forum looked previously? (I know this is a minor issue compared to the dragons you're trying to slay, but the new format is difficult for me to navigate.)
Thanks for all you do to keep the forum alive and well!
Keith
Um, no changes at all, cosmetically speaking...
:)
Dave,
So far so good. I saw a couple of HTML formatting errors, too. Refreshed the page and everything looks fine. Thanks for getting us up and running again. I was lost all day yesterday! :o
Dave
Now I'm seeing formatting issues that won't clear up with a refresh. Logged off and back in -- no change. Tried both MS Edge and IE browsers - both have the same issue.
MSumners
12-16-2019, 10:33 PM
The new format is rather difficult to navigate. Sounds like some testing is being done, thanks for the work!
Erik W. Treves
12-16-2019, 10:56 PM
yeah.. same here... I can't make out this format at all
FF33rod
12-17-2019, 12:10 AM
Main page formatting is fine, each thread is a bit of a mess though....
Steve
The format and functionality of the album section has also been affected. Works, but I suspect most may not like to new functionality.
mburger
12-17-2019, 04:23 AM
I just got a new iPhone XR plus an IOS update tonight.
Not sure if it’s the XR, the update or the forum but it’s definitely a bit of a change.
Still happy it’s back up. Thanks again David!
Aircontroller
12-17-2019, 05:14 AM
Well......I’m getting a partial webpage upload. I can’t get the entire page to load correctly.
119053
mburger
12-17-2019, 08:43 AM
Back on my laptop and everything is back to the familiar formatting and the forum is FAST.
Ducky2009
12-17-2019, 10:12 AM
David, Just tried to upload pics to my photo gallery. Doesn't work. Might want to check it out. Thanks.
David Hodgkins
12-17-2019, 11:48 AM
I created a new thread to discuss the new issues but that would just create two threads on the issue so I deleted it.
So,
We made a routing change yesterday to deal with the service errors we have been seeing lately. It appears there were some side effects. I've heard of two so far, the first being an overall forum style change, and the second is a problem with the gallery.
re: formatting, I'd like to ask those who are seeing the format change to test to see if you are in mobile mode. Scroll to the bottom of this thread and look to see if there is a "FULL SITE" link. If so, you are in mobile mode and clicking the link will restore desktop mode.
re: Gallery issues, I am seeing them too and will work on them today. Plan on not being able to upload all day today as it will be hours before I can address the issue.
Please post feedback and I'll patch things up as fast as possible.
David Hodgkins
12-17-2019, 12:07 PM
After more testing it looks like some CSS is being blocked.
Working that issue...
RRussellTx
12-17-2019, 12:08 PM
I created a new thread to discuss the new issues but that would just create two threads on the issue so I deleted it.
re: formatting, I'd like to ask those who are seeing the format change to test to see if you are in mobile mode. Scroll to the bottom of this thread and look to see if there is a "FULL SITE" link. If so, you are in mobile mode and clicking the link will restore desktop mode.
I can confirm that I have the issue in the FULL SITE mode. Also, Safari and Chrome both have the same funky format.
Main Page seems fine, but when you click on this thread it has the bad format shown earlier in this thread.
Hope this is helpful info.
David, thanks for the tip on the Full Site link. I was able to toggle between the different modes (I was originally in desktop mode) and the format changes but there is no mode I can select that returns to the original format before the latest changes that seems to have fixed the site accessibility issues.
If it ain't one thing, it's three others... Don't give up.
I can toggle between mobile and desktop with no problem. Folks may need to clear their browser's cache to get things looking right again.
FF33rod
12-17-2019, 12:54 PM
Just signed on at work, using Chrome, full site mode and the thread looks fine now.
Looks fine on my phone, but logged in from work and can't get the Default Style to load correctly. The mobile style is fine. Cleared the cache, closed the browser, same results. In Edge, the Forums display looks good, but Latest Posts are unformatted. Looks fine on my phone using Chrome.
Format looks like it's back to normal and the gallery functionality appears to be working (haven't tried posting a photo).
And I didn't clear my cache (whatever that is) and wouldn't know how to so I figure David must have found the problem and fixed it.
Round of applause for David!
mburger
12-17-2019, 01:48 PM
I also changed modes on my XR and it is back to the normal formatting. I haven't tried to work with the gallery but everything else looks good.
Ducky2009
12-17-2019, 03:25 PM
David, Just uploaded pics without a problem. Thanks
progmgr1
12-17-2019, 06:21 PM
David,
I tried to log on at about 2:55 PST today and twice got the following error message:
Error 522 Ray ID: 546c8cb02d8bd34a • 2019-12-17 23:06:47 UTC
Connection timed out
Then I was able to log in at about 3:10 and everything worked well - even back to the old format. For reference, I'm using MS Edge - if that makes any difference.
Thanks again for pounding these issues into submission.
Keith
David Hodgkins
12-19-2019, 06:03 PM
I configured something wrong on and it was causing issues since my last post to this thread on the 17th.
As of noon today we should REALLY be good to go.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!!
:)
edwardb
12-19-2019, 09:28 PM
Just noticed a new issue. Can't help but wonder if it's something to do with the recent issues here and what corrections may have been made. I have all my Coupe build pictures hosted on this side in "My Albums." Then link the pics into my build thread. Works great and very happy with this approach. I've also been keeping a parallel build thread on the other forum and the picture album links have always worked there as well. This was suggested and successfully tested a couple years ago. Today I looked at my Coupe build thread on the other forum, and the pictures don't appear. Including in an update I just posted. That site has undergone a major change, as everyone certainly knows. But the pictures were showing there as of a couple days ago.
David Hodgkins
12-20-2019, 01:14 PM
Just noticed a new issue. Can't help but wonder if it's something to do with the recent issues here and what corrections may have been made. I have all my Coupe build pictures hosted on this side in "My Albums." Then link the pics into my build thread. Works great and very happy with this approach. I've also been keeping a parallel build thread on the other forum and the picture album links have always worked there as well. This was suggested and successfully tested a couple years ago. Today I looked at my Coupe build thread on the other forum, and the pictures don't appear. Including in an update I just posted. That site has undergone a major change, as everyone certainly knows. But the pictures were showing there as of a couple days ago.
I'm betting their site doesn't support BB code-based file URLs, or has them set to non-public. We and Club Cobra, as well as FFCars before this switch, all ran public BB code Galleries. I haven't tried to use FFCars's gallery since they switched forum software. I'll look into it.
:)
David Hodgkins
12-20-2019, 01:18 PM
I've received two reports about users being blocked from posting by firewall. I got the message via PM and email. If you are having this issue please send me a PM or use the contact us page to let me know. Send a screenshot of the error if possible.
:)
David Hodgkins
12-20-2019, 04:03 PM
Looks like they are still supporting BB code image sharing from their site. Here is an from FFCars that should work:
https://www.ffcars.com/d2/xfmg/thumbnail/46/46590-2d6faba17ab163f02fd97e5ae2821244.jpg?1574341570 (https://www.ffcars.com/media/spridlesracer.46590/)
I ran a test attempting to show images from this site and Club Cobra. Club Cobra images are ALLOWED, images from this site ARE NOT ALLOWED.
That's a shot fired over the bow folks. I've posted over there asking for TFFF support. If they refuse, I am inclined to reciprocate. Hopefully they come around and image hosting will remain open across all our favorite sites!
:)
edwardb
12-20-2019, 04:34 PM
Looks like they are still supporting BB code image sharing from their site. Here is an from FFCars that should work:
https://www.ffcars.com/d2/xfmg/thumbnail/46/46590-2d6faba17ab163f02fd97e5ae2821244.jpg?1574341570 (https://www.ffcars.com/media/spridlesracer.46590/)
I ran a test attempting to show images from this site and Club Cobra. Club Cobra images are ALLOWED, images from this site ARE NOT ALLOWED.
That's a shot fired over the bow folks. I've posted over there asking for TFFF support. If they refuse, I am inclined to reciprocate. Hopefully they come around and image hosting will remain open across all our favorite sites!
:)
Hopefully they will make the necessary change. Otherwise I'll just stop posting there. Interesting because (1) It was working up until several days ago, so somebody made a change, (2) When in edit mode, the links work and the pictures show. Including in preview. But when you save and post, they don't show in the published update. So the URL is obviously there and connecting. Just blocked from the actual post as you describe.
RBachman
12-21-2019, 08:52 AM
I've had the same issues on and off for a while now. But While aggravating, it's not necessarily a bad thing.
It's growing pains as FFR and the forum get busier. With the Ford-vs.-Ferrari movie out, I suspect things will get even busier. And that's a good thing. The busier FFR is, the more successful they become, and that's good for all of us. Especially if they keep the same demeanor in helping, treating, and being personable with their customers. I want FFR around for a long time because I intend to keep on building and wrenching on their cars. So if it's good for them, it's good for us. However, as mentioned, there are growing pains. You can't get bigger, better or stronger without them.
Aircontroller
12-27-2019, 09:48 PM
Just had issues for about an hour.
The site wouldn't load correctly.
Aircontroller
12-30-2019, 07:40 AM
Experienced this issue for a little while today....
119676
Jryasko
12-30-2019, 08:43 AM
Paul, just curious most of your pictures are not showing up on this forum now. Any idea why and will they ever be available again ?
edwardb
12-30-2019, 11:54 AM
Paul, just curious most of your pictures are not showing up on this forum now. Any idea why and will they ever be available again ?
The pictures I have hosted on this site (e.g. my Coupe build plus a few others) are fine. The ones that aren't showing (e.g. 20th Anniversary build, #7750 build) are hosted in Photobucket. They had a service issue some days ago, which I reported to them. Said it was supposed to be resolved soon, but obviously not yet. I just sent their support another message. Not sure how optimistic I am to be honest. That site has gotten very unreliable, and I have way too many pictures to re-load and re-link. Not good.
David Hodgkins
12-30-2019, 12:03 PM
The pictures I have hosted on this site (e.g. my Coupe build plus a few others) are fine. The ones that aren't showing (e.g. 20th Anniversary build, #7750 build) are hosted in Photobucket. They had a service issue some days ago, which I reported to them. Said it was supposed to be resolved soon, but obviously not yet. I just sent their support another message. Not sure how optimistic I am to be honest. That site has gotten very unreliable, and I have way too many pictures to re-load and re-link. Not good.
I put a post up in the "complainer" thread that the admins over there were responding to but they have ignored my post. If you want to chime in as well (again) that would help. They have blocked all images from THIS site, which I imagine took some programming to do, so it isn't just a passive thing. Images from CC are still showing up there, but not those from here.
Paul, your build threads are among the very best out there. Maybe they will listen to you. I don't want to ruffle any feathers over there...
:)
edwardb
12-30-2019, 04:04 PM
The pictures I have hosted on this site (e.g. my Coupe build plus a few others) are fine. The ones that aren't showing (e.g. 20th Anniversary build, #7750 build) are hosted in Photobucket. They had a service issue some days ago, which I reported to them. Said it was supposed to be resolved soon, but obviously not yet. I just sent their support another message. Not sure how optimistic I am to be honest. That site has gotten very unreliable, and I have way too many pictures to re-load and re-link. Not good.
I put a post up in the "complainer" thread that the admins over there were responding to but they have ignored my post. If you want to chime in as well (again) that would help. They have blocked all images from THIS site, which I imagine took some programming to do, so it isn't just a passive thing. Images from CC are still showing up there, but not those from here.
Paul, your build threads are among the very best out there. Maybe they will listen to you. I don't want to ruffle any feathers over there...
:)
Thanks for the generous comment David. Actually there are two different issues here. (1) Photobucket, where I have a paid account to keep my picture links active, had some sort of technical issue and now my three Roadster build threads no longer display the Photobucket images. I reported to them a week ago and was told it would be resolved. I reported again today, and was told my account was still one of the ones not working, but that it would be resolved. I can't see any of the pictures either, even when logged directly into my Photobucket account. I'll stay on them. (2) My Coupe build has all the pictures hosted on this site in my personal gallery. They link and show properly on the Coupe thread on this forum. But as of a couple weeks ago are blocked on the other forum. I posted plus sent a message through their "contact us" link. There's no way I can move the pictures and re-link them all. If they don't change their mind, I'll abandon the thread over there.